Articles and books by Tove Samzelius
The increased globalisation of the world economy and the collapse of
communism as a social system... more The increased globalisation of the world economy and the collapse of
communism as a social system have introduced new challenges facing national
policy formulation. The nation-state has been weakened, as it is much less the
master of its own destiny. Even in traditionally strong national policy areas such as
welfare, this development can be felt and seen.
In what way has the recent global economic and political changes influenced
social policy making in Europe? What are the major changes in social policy in
Eastern and Western Europe in the last decades? What are the future prospects of
social welfare systems on our continent? These are the major questions that we aim
to address in this paper.
First we describe the more general context of political and economic
transformation with relation to social policy. Such concepts as ‘globalisation’ and
‘welfare state’ are discussed. Hereafter, we take a closer look at the developments
in three European countries with very different welfare traditions, namely
Germany, Romania and Sweden. Considering the differences between these
countries, we believe they can help us to see that there are similar challenges facing
all countries, at the same time as they operate within their own specific context and
have very different problems and responses. In the conclusion, we discuss the
future potential outlook for European welfare states in general, and for Germany,
Romania and Sweden in particular.
Papers by Tove Samzelius
Policy Press eBooks, Nov 1, 2017
This chapter talks about how to engage with co-produced research and participatory practices from... more This chapter talks about how to engage with co-produced research and participatory practices from a community perspective. It discusses how co-produced interdisciplinary research experiences and knowledge exchanges facilitate interaction with members of the community, with academics and with artists as a part of the Productive Margins project. The programme is seeking to remap the terrain of regulation, by involving the knowledge, passions, and creativity of citizens often considered on the margins of politics and policymaking. However, rather than examining the progress and outcomes of the research project itself, the chapter analyses the settings and process leading up to the establishment of the research project: the formation of the working group where they explored the theme of poverty; and the Research Forum where academics and community partners came together to share knowledge and interdisciplinary ways forward.
Nordisk välfärdsforskning | Nordic Welfare Research
Socialvetenskaplig tidskrift
Based on 20 years of experience involving marginalized singles mothers in participatory knowledge... more Based on 20 years of experience involving marginalized singles mothers in participatory knowledge projects, this article provides a personal and critical reflection on the importance of the contexts within which such projects develop. Through concrete examples of projects, developed during different historical periods and welfare regimes, the author illustrates how the political and economic context can create both opportunities and barriers for the participation of the disadvantaged groups and the grassroots organizations that represent them. Some of the tensions too as benefits that can arise when more radical self-organized grassroots groups collaborate with academic institutions are also highlighted. Finally, ethical issues regarding the ideals of commitment of marginalized groups within a welfare context where the time to participate is regulated and limited raises. Consequently, it is argued, there is a need for wider critical reflection and continuous dialogue about how the b...
Socialt arbete i förändring, 2022
14th Conference of the European Sociological Association 2019, 20-23 Aug, Manchester UK, 2019
Welfare Conditionality: Principles, Practices and Perspectives. 26–28 June 2018, University of York, UK., 2018
FEANTSA's 14th European Research Conference Helsingborg, 20th September 2019, 2019
The increased globalisation of the world economy and the collapse of communism as a social system... more The increased globalisation of the world economy and the collapse of communism as a social system have introduced new challenges facing national policy formulation. The nation-state has been weakened, as it is much less the master of its own destiny. Even in traditionally strong national policy areas such as
Feminist Activists on Brexit: From the Political to the Personal, 2021
Feminismo/s, 2020
The paper considers why feminists working on gender mainstreaming in the UK looked to Sweden for ... more The paper considers why feminists working on gender mainstreaming in the UK looked to Sweden for models to effect structural change and why in recent years the models in Sweden are deficient, embodying an ever-increasing blind spot to the socio/economic constraints experienced by single parents, migrant mothers the most marginalised. Referencing academic feminist research in Sweden and the UK, as well
J. Poverty Soc. Justice, 2012
Since 2008 single parents have been required to look for work initially when their youngest child... more Since 2008 single parents have been required to look for work initially when their youngest child reached 12 years old, reduced to 10 in 2009, seven in 2010 and five in 2012 leading to an estimated 424,000 single parents moving onto Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA). Over 90% of them are women, many experiencing multiple disadvantages. Single Parent Action Network in partnership with the University of the West of England, undertook participatory research to find out how single parents on JSA experienced the support and training opportunities in place to facilitate their learning, well-being and advancement into sustainable employment. Key findings G The research found a strong sense that single parents involved in the study wanted to work. Their motives included being better off financially, being a role model for their children, gaining social contacts and building a career. G Of those single parents who gained employment during the study, none did so through their contact with Jobcentre Plus (JCP). Instead they relied on existing networks such as friends or previous employers, or set up their own businesses. G There was evidence that JCP did not address the needs of single parents and help them into quality work that could lift them out of poverty. They often saw a different advisor, and missed the continuity and understanding of Lone Parent Advisors. There was a perception that JCP staff wanted them to go for any job, regardless of their qualifications, skills or parental responsibilities. Some parents found that JCP advisors were dismissive of their plans for self-employment. G Most parents who found employment did so in low-paid jobs such as catering, cleaning and childcare, which did not use their skills or offer opportunities to advance their careers. Of four parents who found work in supermarkets, three were over-qualified, including an English teacher, a photographer and an administrator who had run her own business. G Single parents were most likely to take up employment if they were: already close to the labour market; could access part-time work; had access to social networks and extended family able to support them with childcare; found employment near to home; did not have significant worries about their heath or the health/well-being of their children; were able to find flexible employers/sympathetic line managers. G Among those parents who found employment, including self-employment, their health, well-being and self-esteem improved. Despite anxieties about job security, they felt more optimistic about the future than parents on JSA or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). G The lack of quality childcare was a significant problem for many parents in finding employment. Some felt that their responsibility for their children's safety and well-being was not taken seriously enough. The care of secondary school age children emerged as especially important for parents. G Jobcentre Plus and work training providers to develop initiatives that encourage employers to design quality jobs with part-time hours. G The embedding of children's well-being into the ethos of Jobcentre Plus service delivery by government as this is already a legislative requirement in supporting parents into work. G A government review of childcare for older children as a policy priority.
The Impact of Co-production
<p>This chapter talks about how to engage with co-produced research and participatory pract... more <p>This chapter talks about how to engage with co-produced research and participatory practices from a community perspective. It discusses how co-produced interdisciplinary research experiences and knowledge exchanges facilitate interaction with members of the community, with academics and with artists as a part of the Productive Margins project. The programme is seeking to remap the terrain of regulation, by involving the knowledge, passions, and creativity of citizens often considered on the margins of politics and policymaking. However, rather than examining the progress and outcomes of the research project itself, the chapter analyses the settings and process leading up to the establishment of the research project: the formation of the working group where they explored the theme of poverty; and the Research Forum where academics and community partners came together to share knowledge and interdisciplinary ways forward.</p>
Within the confines of the receding Swedish welfare state, family homelessness and poverty are on... more Within the confines of the receding Swedish welfare state, family homelessness and poverty are on the rise among one-parent families, in particular those headed by a single migrant mother. This development follows a trend that is noticeable across advanced welfare states, where female-headed households are facing an increased risk of being locked into vicious circles of low-paid work, inadequate income protection schemes and poor housing options. Contextualized against a wider global political-economic backdrop of rising inequalities and structural changes that take localized forms, this thesis investigates family homelessness and poverty in Sweden through what is referred to as a ‘singlemother perspective’. This is an approach where welfare policy and politicalinstitutional arrangements are analysed through the lens of everyday experiences and struggles conveyed by marginalized single mothers. By placing the ideas and experiences of single mothers at the centre of the analysis, the...
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Articles and books by Tove Samzelius
communism as a social system have introduced new challenges facing national
policy formulation. The nation-state has been weakened, as it is much less the
master of its own destiny. Even in traditionally strong national policy areas such as
welfare, this development can be felt and seen.
In what way has the recent global economic and political changes influenced
social policy making in Europe? What are the major changes in social policy in
Eastern and Western Europe in the last decades? What are the future prospects of
social welfare systems on our continent? These are the major questions that we aim
to address in this paper.
First we describe the more general context of political and economic
transformation with relation to social policy. Such concepts as ‘globalisation’ and
‘welfare state’ are discussed. Hereafter, we take a closer look at the developments
in three European countries with very different welfare traditions, namely
Germany, Romania and Sweden. Considering the differences between these
countries, we believe they can help us to see that there are similar challenges facing
all countries, at the same time as they operate within their own specific context and
have very different problems and responses. In the conclusion, we discuss the
future potential outlook for European welfare states in general, and for Germany,
Romania and Sweden in particular.
Papers by Tove Samzelius
communism as a social system have introduced new challenges facing national
policy formulation. The nation-state has been weakened, as it is much less the
master of its own destiny. Even in traditionally strong national policy areas such as
welfare, this development can be felt and seen.
In what way has the recent global economic and political changes influenced
social policy making in Europe? What are the major changes in social policy in
Eastern and Western Europe in the last decades? What are the future prospects of
social welfare systems on our continent? These are the major questions that we aim
to address in this paper.
First we describe the more general context of political and economic
transformation with relation to social policy. Such concepts as ‘globalisation’ and
‘welfare state’ are discussed. Hereafter, we take a closer look at the developments
in three European countries with very different welfare traditions, namely
Germany, Romania and Sweden. Considering the differences between these
countries, we believe they can help us to see that there are similar challenges facing
all countries, at the same time as they operate within their own specific context and
have very different problems and responses. In the conclusion, we discuss the
future potential outlook for European welfare states in general, and for Germany,
Romania and Sweden in particular.